Politics & Government

Summit Council Backs Police Staffing Plan

Deputy police chief position eliminated, force to be led by two captains.

Summit Common Council supported an ordinance that gives the a new chain of command and eliminates the role of deputy police chief. Beginning Dec 29, the department will have two captains. The department also will be able to hire an additional police officer.

The move to eliminate a position wasn't based on a cost-saving measure according to Police Chief Robert Weck. His goal was to build a “better pyramid of management.” "We can get more accomplished with two captains," said Weck. There will no longer be a position that implies a direct succession to police chief. Instead, with two captains there will be a streamlined command structure, according to Weck.

The three Dec. 29 promotions: Officer Sam Rutkowski becomes a sergeant. Lt. John Dougherty and Lt. Steve Zagorski will become the two police captains. Sgt. Michael Cantone will become a lieutenant to take over the role vacated by Zagorski. Former deputy police chief W. Paul Kelley, who retired, was the last man to hold that position.

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Recommendation to JCP&L

City administrator Chris Cotter presented information on a meeting he had with JCP&L CEO Don Lynch to talk about the utilities provider's response to the Oct. 29 freak snowstorm that left many Summit residents without power for days.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thousands lost power when nearly 88 percent of the power utility’s circuits were down during the storm. Residents and city officials were both frustrated with the response and lagging power-restoration times. Council members said the suggestion that the city switch from to PSEG isn't viable because PSEG doesn’t have the infrastructure too handle work on lines in heavily wooded suburban areas, such as Summit. A suggestion to bury the power lines was dismissed as too costly to consider seriously.

“Burying your lines is expensive,” said Mayor-Elect Ellen Dickson, who estimated that it would the project would cost $1 million per mile.

Cotter described Summit as “ground zero” for the storm and criticized JCP&L's response to the storm. Cotter’s main recommendation for JCP&L officials is to improve emergency communications to residents and municipalities through real-time updates on texts, Twitter and Facebook.

Glatt Gives Recognition

Outgoing Mayor Jordan Glatt gave out two mayoral awards as last night’s council meeting. A certificate of appreciation was presented to Mary Kull, for her work operating the Senior Connections Bus. The operation was handed over to the city in the summer.

Brett Haire who helps with the annual turkey drive and is a member of The Other Fellow First organization was awarded the Recognition of Services award by Glatt.

Other Committee Meeting News

  • Director of Community Services Beth Kinney read a memo on the decision to abandon any plans for redeveloping 2 Walnut St, which houses the . “It didn’t make sense as an area for redevelopment. Councilman Thomas Getzendanner suggested the city look into selling the donated property.  Darrell Johnson, the President and CEO of the Summit Area YMCA, which works with youth in the Walnut Street space, asked there be no interruption in services provided to area kids, no matter what happens to the Summit Youth Center building.
  • Bidding will continue on the sewer-extension project on Maple Avenue. A soil study will be conducted also, since a portion of the project is within the area of a gas station. Exxon will cover the cost of the environmental study near the Euclid Avenue Exxon. Senior Connection Bus Service, now under the management of the Department of Community Programs will get a one-year contract. Department head Judith Josephs says the service has enough funding for five years.
  • A resolution was passed to allow the issuance of bond anticipation notes associated with parking. The move will be capped at $1.8 million.
  • A resolution was passed to create a new Summit Parking Advisory Committee. A list of names were read of community members who are part of this group and councilman Nuris Portuondo extended an invite to other citizens who might be interested to inquire about joining the committee.


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